New Beginning and Future

Chapter 64: Under the Lights, Unshaken

Summary: As the arena ignites and the championship stage rises, quite literally, precision replaces nerves, theatrics test patience, and strategy sharpens into something far more dangerous than comfort. When pressure mounts and expectations close in, ZGDX doesn't fracture, they adapt. And sometimes, the most powerful move is the one no one saw coming.

Overprotective: ZGDX
Overprotective/Possessive/territorial: Chessman
Chessman is literally his own warning when it concerns his girl

Notes:

⚠️ Author's Note: Some people never learn to not underestimate our girl an that she has more than a few tricks up her sleeve.

Disclaimer: The Muse would like to remind everyone we do not own FIYS nor the beloved characters nor any dialogue from either the show nor the book...the Muse is very sad and not pleased with this continued reminder that they do not own them and never will!

(See the end of the chapter for more author's note.)

Chapter Sixty-Four

The arena vibrated with energy long before the players stepped onto the stage. Outside, fans packed the streets in waves of black and red and blue, banners lifted high, chants rising and falling like thunder rolling across concrete. Inside, lights blazed overhead, production crews moved with sharp efficiency, and the distant roar of the crowd filtered through the walls like a living thing.

ZGDX's lounge hummed with its own contained storm.

The large screens on the wall showed the arena floor slowly filling, commentators already warming up the audience, camera angles testing lighting. Jerseys hung crisp and immaculate. Headsets were lined in a row. The air smelled faintly of energy drinks and adrenaline.

Ming stood near the strategy board, arms folded, expression calm but focused. Rui hovered near the door, checking his phone for the tenth time in as many minutes.

Pang paced.

Yue sprawled on the couch but bounced his leg relentlessly.

Lao K sat silently, reviewing notes one last time.

Lao Mao adjusted his wrist wrap, eyes sharp.

And in the center of it all, Yao stood near the table, rolling her shoulders once before exhaling slowly.

Sicheng leaned against the wall beside her, arms crossed, gaze steady.

The silence stretched just long enough for Rui to finally clear his throat. "Okay. Deep breaths, everyone."

"I'm breathing," Pang shot back immediately.

"You're vibrating," Yue corrected.

Pang pointed at him. "You're not any better."

"I'm perfectly calm," Yue insisted.

"You've been tapping your foot for twenty minutes," Lao K muttered without looking up.

"That's rhythmic focus," Yue said defensively.

Ming stepped forward at last, his voice cutting clean through the chatter. "Enough."

The room quieted instantly.

"We've done this before," Ming continued evenly. "Different opponents. Different stakes. Same fundamentals. We don't get sloppy because it's the final."

Yao nodded once. "We don't get emotional."

Yue snorted softly. "Speak for yourself."

Sicheng's voice came low and controlled. "We get precise."